Rotare is the third indoor autogiro that I have built. It's predecessor
was a smaller model with about 50 square inches of rotor area and was of
similar configuration. This newer model is larger overall, yet weighs the
same as the older one it replaced. The Rotare rotor is much simpler
than previous rotor designs. The rotor is built flat and mounted with just
enough angle to allow consistent rotation. (The rotationcomes from the
flexing of the free floating trailing edge on each of the rotor "ears".)
Flight
trimming the model proved to be quite easy. During the initial design
stages, calculations were made to determine the wing and rotor locations.
It was decided that the rotor should be located behind the CG to help pitch
the nose down during launch (a problem with previous models). In short,
all the math worked out, and the first test flight I made with the model
was almost 6 minutes and close to the Cat I open record.
After
adding a few more turns, I found out that a 5 inch high mast was too much,
and the rotor quickly beat itself to death on the ceiling of the gym. The
rotor was repaired and the mast shortened 1", and the next flight was just
over 9 minutes. I decided to wind it up once again , and the model did
a 10:10 setting the Open Cat I Autogiro record. A few months later, I took
the model to the Akron Air dock, and after a couple of test flights, posted
a 15:56, and set the Cat IV Open Autogiro record. I was pleased to see
the model climb out easily under full power, and it peaked out around 100
feet, and landed with about 30 turns left.
Currently
I am waiting to get into a local Cat II, and Cat III site and have a go
at those records. I am considering building a microfilm version of the
model which should be about .008 oz lighter with a braced wing.
